This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

There are 5 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

For some lucky individuals, being good at physics comes naturally. For the rest of us, however, getting a good grade in physics requires a significant amount of hard work. Luckily, by learning important foundational skills and practicing often, almost anyone can master their physics material. However, even more important than getting a good grade is the fact that a better understanding of physics may shed light on some of the seemingly mysterious forces that govern the way the world works.

Memorize basic constants. In physics, certain forces, like the accelerating force of gravity on earth, are assigned mathematical constants.[1]XResearch source This is simply a fancy way of saying that these forces are usually represented as the same number regardless of where or how they're used. It's a smart idea to memorize the most common constants (and their units) — often, they won't be provided on tests. Below are a few of the most frequently-used constants in physics:

Memorize basic equations. In physics, the relationships between the many different forces acting in the universe are described with equations. Some of these equations are very simple, while some are enormously complex. Having the simplest equations memorized and knowing how to use them is critical when tackling both simple and complex problems. Even difficult and confusing problems are often solved by using several simple equations or modifying these simple equations so that they fit new situations. These basic equations are the easiest part of physics to learn, and if you know them well, the odds are that you will at least know some part of every complex problem you face. Just a few of the most important equations are:[2]XResearch source

Study the derivation of basic equations. Having your simple equations memorized is one thing — understanding why these equations work is another entirely. If you can, take time to learn how each basic physics equation is derived. This gives you a much clearer understanding of the relationship between the equations and makes you a more versatile problems-solver. Since you essentially understand how the equation "works", you'll be able to use it much more effectively than if it's simply a rote, memorized string of characters in your mind.

For example, let's look at a very simple equation: Acceleration = Change in velocity/Change in time,[3]XResearch source or a = Delta(v)/Delta(t). Acceleration is the force that causes an object's velocity to change. If an object has an initial velocity of v0 at time t0 and a final velocity of v at time t, the object can be said to accelerate as it changes from v0 to v. Acceleration can't be instantaneous — no matter how fast it occurs, there will be some time difference between when the object is traveling at its initial velocity and when it reaches its final velocity. Thus, a = (v - v0/t - t0) = Delta(v)/Delta(t).

Learn the math skills required to do physics problems. Math is often said to be "the language of physics." Becoming an expert in the fundamentals of math is a great way to improve your ability to master physics problems. Some complex physics equations even require specialized mathematical skills (like taking derivatives and integrals) to be solved. Below are just a few math topics that can help you perform physics problems, in order of complexity:

Not quite! While learning the whys and hows behind basic equations will ensure you never forget them, it’s quite possible to memorize them without a deeper understanding. Good old fashioned flashcards should do the trick. Rote memorization isn’t ideal for truly understanding physics, but it’ll work for now. Try again...

The equations are impossible to use correctly unless you understand how they work.

Not necessarily! Sure, you’ll probably gain a more comprehensive mastery over the equations if you learn why and how they work. That said, it’s perfectly sufficient to merely memorize the equations in order to apply them successfully! Click on another answer to find the right one...

It helps you understand which equations are suited to which situations.

Absolutely! Learning what makes individual equations “tick” is a way to learn when to use them and for what purpose. It’s well and good to simply commit the steps of an equation to memory, but you won’t master physics until you know how these equations actually work! Read on for another quiz question.

All of the above.

Not exactly! One of these answers is a great reason to learn the behind-the-curtains inner workings to common equations in physics. The other answers, though, simply aren’t true. There’s a better option out there!

Focus on the important information in every problem. Physics problems often contain "red herrings" — information that isn't needed to solve the problem. When reading a physics problem, identify the pieces of information that you are given, then determine what you are trying to solve for. Write the equation(s) you'll need to solve the problem, then assign each piece of information in the problem to the appropriate variables. Ignore information that isn't needed, as this can slow you down and make the correct path for solving the problem more difficult to find.

For example, let's say that we need to find the acceleration that a car experiences as its velocity changes over two seconds. If the car weighs 1,000 kilograms, starts moving at 9 m/s and ends at 22 m/s, we can say that v0 = 9 m/s, v = 22 m/s, m = 1,000 t = 2 s. As noted above, the standard acceleration equation is a = (v - v0/t - t0). Note that this doesn't take the object's mass into account, so we can ignore the fact that the car weighs 1,000 kg.

Use the correct units for every problem. Forgetting to label your answer or using the incorrect units is a sure-fire way to miss easy points. To make sure you get full credit for whatever problem you're doing, be sure to label your answer with its correct units based on the type of information being expressed. Some of the most commonly-used units for common measurements in physics are listed below — note that, as a general rule, physics problems almost always use metric/SI measurements:

Don't forget small details (like friction, drag, etc.). Physics problems are usually models of real-world situations — that is, they simplify the actual way that things work to make the situation easier to understand. Sometimes, this means that forces that can change the outcome of a problem (like, for instance, friction) are deliberately left out of the problem. However, this is not always the case. If these minor details aren't explicitly left out of the problem and you have enough information to account for them in your answer, be sure to include them for the most accurate answer.

For example, let's say that a problem asks you to find the rate that a 5 kilogram wooden block accelerates along a smooth floor if pushed with a force of 50 newtons. Since F = m × a, the answer may seem to be as simple as solving for a in the equation 50 = 5 × a. However, in the real world, the force of friction will act against the forward motion of the object, effectively reducing the force it's being pushed with. Leaving this out of the problem will result in an answer that has the block accelerating slightly faster than it actually would.

Double-check your answers. An average-difficulty physics problem can easily involve a dozen or so mathematical calculations. An error in any of these can cause your answer to be off, so pay close attention to your math as you work and, if you have time, double-check your answer at the end to make sure your math "adds up."

While simply re-doing your work is one way to check your math, you may also want to use common sense to relate your problem to real life as a way of checking your answer. For example, if you're trying to find the momentum (mass × velocity) of an object moving in the forward direction, you wouldn't expect a negative answer, since mass can't be negative and velocity is only negative if it's in the "negative" direction (i.e., opposite the "forward" direction in your frame of reference). Thus, if you get a negative, answer, you've probably made an error in your calculations somewhere along the line.

Advertisement

Score0 / 0

Part 2 Quiz

When should you disregard minor details such as friction and drag when working with physics problems?

Usually, because they don’t significantly affect the answer.

Nope! Details like friction and drag can very significantly affect an answer. Physics is not a purely theoretical discipline, but is instead highly practical. That means when it comes to getting the right answer, the devil is always in the details! Guess again!

Only if the details are explicitly excluded from the problem.

Exactly! Details like friction and drag are usually central when it comes to physics problems, even if they might appear relatively minor. That said, if the details are conspicuously absent from the problem, that’s a sign you can disregard them. Sometimes, you have to treat physics concepts as if they exist in a vacuum before you can master their application in practical situations. Read on for another quiz question.

If you only have some information about relevant details, like friction or drag, but not a lot of information.

Not necessarily! Sometimes a problem will be so scant on details like friction and drag that you won’t be able to account for those in your answer. However, sometimes all you need is some information in order to factor those details in. You may not be informed about the texture of a bike tire, for example, but you can still calculate drag or friction to a reasonably accurate measure if you know its velocity. Use your best judgement; if information is included, it’s usually relevant and should be used to solve for the answer. There’s a better option out there!

Never.

Not necessarily! Details like friction and drag are often central to physics programs, but they won't always factor into the problem. It's a good rule of thumb to consider details mentioned in the problem as relevant to the solution, but there are exceptions! There’s a better option out there!

Read the topic before the lecture. Ideally, you shouldn't come across new physics concepts for the very first time in class. Instead, try, reading upcoming lessons in your textbook the day before they'll be covered in class.[4]XResearch source Don't fixate on the precise mathematics of the topic — at this stage, focus on grasping the general concepts and trying to grasp what is being discussed. This will give you a solid foundation of knowledge upon which you'll be able to apply the mathematical skills you'll learn in class.

Pay attention during class. During class, the teacher will explain the concepts you encountered in your pre-reading and clarify any areas of the material that you don't understand well. Take notes and ask plenty of questions. Your teacher will probably go through the mathematics of the topic. When he or she does so, try to have a general idea of "what's happening" even if you don't remember the exact derivations of each equation — having this sort of "feel" for the material is a huge asset.

If you have lingering questions after class, talk to your teacher. Try to make your questions as specific as possible — this shows the teacher that you were listening. If the teacher isn't busy, she or he will probably be able to schedule an appointment to go over the material with you and help you understand it.

You could even ask your professor or teacher if they would be willing to let you record the lectures so that you can listen to them again later. This would allow you to ask for clarification on anything that is still unclear to you after re-listening to the lecture.

Review your notes at home. To finish off the task of studying and polish your physics knowledge, take a few moments to go over your notes as soon as you have a chance at home. Doing this will help you retain the knowledge you've gained from the day's class. The longer you wait after you take your notes to review them, the more difficult to remember they will be and the more "foreign" the concepts will seem, so be proactive and cement your knowledge by reviewing your notes at home.

Solve practice questions. Just like math, writing, or programming, solving physics problems is a mental skill. The more you use this skill, the easier it will become. If you're struggling with physics, be sure to get plenty of practice solving problems. This will not only prepare you for exams but will help make many concepts clearer as you make your way through the material.

If you're not happy with your grade in physics, don't be content to simply use the problems assigned in your homework for practice. Make the extra effort to complete problems you wouldn't normally encounter — these can be problems in your textbook that aren't assigned to you, free problems online, or even problems in physics practice books (usually sold at academic bookstores).

Use the sources of help that are available to you. You don't have to try to endure a difficult physics course by yourself — depending on your schooling situation, there may be literally dozens of ways to get help. Seek out and use any help resources you need to get a better understanding of your physics material. Though some help resources can cost money, most students have at least a few free options available to them. Below are just a few ideas of who and what to seek out if you need physics help:

Try again! It’s true that getting some tutoring help from a more knowledgeable friend can provide a low-pressure environment for practicing your physics. However, there are other ways to boost your knowledge. Pick another answer!

See your physics teacher after class.

Almost! Sure, if you’ve got some burning questions that need answering, there's no better person to ask than the teacher who grades your work. Still, there are things you can do to improve even outside the classroom! Try another answer...

Practice with problems not assigned in class.

Close! Even if practice doesn’t quite make perfect, you can still come pretty darn close by solving practice problems in addition to what's assigned! That said, you should supplement learning on your own with other methods as well. Try again...

All of the above.

Yes! If you’re not doing so hot in physics, there’s no need to despair. There are lots of things you can do to boost your performance, like asking more knowledgeable friends for help, or asking your teacher specific questions after class. Most importantly, practice. It can help to try your hand at problems not assigned by your teacher so you can familiarize yourself with the concepts. Read on for another quiz question.

Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

One way to overcome this fear is to prepare as much as possible. Read lecture chapters before class, ask for help as soon as you can when you don't understand a concept, and do practice problems to solidify what you've learned.

Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Review your class notes at the end of every day when you get home to solidify concepts you learned in class that day. Prepare for exams by doing practice problems and focusing on areas that you have particular difficulty with. You might also ask your teacher/professor if they have any old exams they would make copies of so that you can get a sense for how they structure their tests.

Study hard and finish what is asked of you. Once that has been done, push yourself to learn beyond the school curriculum by being curious, innovative, inventive and fearless about taking your learning as far as you can. Embrace failure; it too is a form of learning, so try new things and ideas all the time. Ask lots of questions but equally, spend a lot of time thinking and working out things for yourself. Reverse engineer things to find out how they work. Rethink things to make them work better. Don't stick to just one set of subjects; aim to be a polymath by being good at math, science, arts, English, dance, sports and drama. Don't pigeonhole yourself; the best learned people have a diversity of knowledge drawn from a wide background. Finally, enjoy your journey of educational discovery; it's a treasure, not a chore.

The basics of physics include the basic constants, basic equations and their derivations, plus standard math skills. Part 1 above covers the basics of physics, so check out those steps for more information.

Mastering math is a combination of learning the fundamentals, practicing often and approach math with the right mindset to succeed. You'll find lots more help in the wikiHow: How to Be Good at Mathematics.

Learning the concepts is easy but applying them in the numericals is very difficult. Why?

Community Answer

It is not so difficult to apply the concepts in numericals. What you can do is, highlight the part of the question which is asked. Try to focus on what approach or concept to be applied to solve it in one go.
Don't be like "Ahhh... This question is too simple". Try to understand the meaning of the question. What people normally do is that they try to solve by applying something is not necessary, then when they don't get the answer they lose hope and the question seems difficult.

Concentrate on what you feel you need the most practice with -- or, if you're not sure, simply use whatever study guide your teacher provided to do a comprehensive overview. Make sure you at least skim everything that will be covered so that the material will generally be fresh in mind.

I am able to apply concepts during practice, but I am unable to get good scores in tests. Where am I lacking? What can I do?

Community Answer

There are a few things that might be happening here. 1. Insufficient practice. 2. Lack of self confidence in exam. 3.Lack of concentration to solve problems in a given time period. 4. Lack of tension-controlling ability during exam. 5.Not being a "test-wise" student (i.e not knowing which questions are to be solved first and so on). Try to narrow down the issues you think you're dealing with in order to troubleshoot some solutions.

How can I improve my mathematics, physics, chemistry for years 10, 11 and 12?

Community Answer

Learn to love the subject rather than taking it as a burden. When you start to love the subject, you will be able to take the time for more questions. Always remember to keep a set of the books from classes 6-9 and 10-11 (for those who are in 12), as these help you to understand the concepts from basics. In chemistry, always try to write notes as these help you before exams to refresh the topics completely. For maths and physics there is no other option -- you have to practise. Write formulas and derivations chapter wise in a separate file or copy for quick references.

Video.

By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

Tips

Develop your mathematical skills. Physics at an advanced level is mostly applied mathematics, especially calculus.[5]XResearch source Make sure you know how to set up an integral and subsequently solve it by substitution or by parts.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

To do well in physics, start by reading the topic before the lecture, focusing on the general concepts to get a basic idea of what will be discussed in class. During the lecture, take detailed notes and ask a lot of questions to help clarify things you don’t understand very well. Next, memorize the basic constants that never change, such as the speed of light, as well as basic equations, like how to measure velocity. Additionally, use online study resources like the Khan Academy, or try forming study groups with other students. To learn more, like how to use the correct units for every physics problem, read on!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 493,632 times.

Reader Success Stories

COSMOPOLITAN OCEAN

Sep 11, 2017

"Thanks so much for this article. You don't know how much relief this article gave me and how it has changed my mindset to better understand physics and mastering the concepts and skills. I will surely apply these principles and study harder to become not just an A+ student, but have deeper knowledge of the course. "..." more

MO

Mathew Otieno

May 21

"I've learned how to overcome some fear during a physics lesson."

SS

Sitaram Srotri

May 16

"I have a habit of focus. I am a BSc physics student from Munger university. I was good in physics from my school time, but still I want to improve more. Then I just clicked online and came to wikiHow. This helped me a lot. I can't explain in words."..." more

MM

Mohammed Mushtaq

Mar 10

"Great learning tool."

CL

Chris Angelo Lopez

Nov 8, 2017

"It helps me a lot because in school I can't focus on studying. When I try to recall the topics that have been discussed in school I can't remember them. But thanks to this site, now I realize that you can learn not only in school, but anywhere by browsing educational websites."..." more

AR

Ali Raza

Nov 9, 2017

"The line that anyone can do it is what I liked the most. One day when asked by my teacher about physics, I said it's a very interesting subject, although I can't get through it, perhaps due to lack of practice, but know I can defeat physics."..." more

SL

Samiksha Lohia

Apr 27, 2017

"This article has helped me loads. I fared badly in physics in my 9th grade finals. Depressed, I read this article and now I feel that what I have lacked might be self confidence, and I guess I might have not worked hard enough. Thank you!"..." more

JK

John K.

Feb 12, 2017

"Am a physicist, but I've been having problems lately in my courses. Thanks to wikiHow, it drew me out of the smoke and slowly gave me oxygen. Thanks to the wikiHow family."..." more

AS

Anush Shetti

Jun 9, 2016

"Very inspiring for me. Before, I had many problems that needed solving, but after reading this article, I have improved and gained my confidence. Thank you, wikiHow."..." more

P

Parikshit

Aug 22, 2017

"I used to think that I was weak in physics but I was very good in maths. I searched how to make my physics strong. I got this and this was pretty useful to me."..." more

Rated this article:

A

Anonymous

May 13, 2018

"Thankful for all originators of these articles, I have gotten many things that are beneficial in my community I live in. God bless you and thanks for each. "..." more

S

Stephen

May 31, 2016

"This article helps one be a good student and there are many tips to learn physics. For example, we should study the topic before a lecture, and many more."..." more

Saptarshi Pakrasi

May 31, 2017

"This is what everyone need to know about their study in class 11.T his tips are what every students need to follow in Physics to have a good future."..." more

Rated this article:

AS

Ankita Sharma

Jun 29, 2017

"It is a good article, it confirmed that I was on the right path! The ideas and techniques provided are good. Helped me during my test preparation."..." more

Rated this article:

NO

Nazrin Omar

Aug 17, 2016

"I think this article is really helpful and encourages me to do well in physics. I gained new information on how to be better in physics."..." more

JQ

John Mark Quinlan

Aug 11, 2016

"I was having a hard time with physics because I didn't do all these things first. After seeing this, I understand it better. "..." more

TK

Tatia Karkashadze

Sep 19, 2017

"I think this information will help me in everything to strengthen every topic and surely every equation in physics."

KG

Kakani Gauthami

May 5, 2016

"Taught a very good system for learning physics. Needed to be more confident solving problems at an advanced level."

MS

Manya Singhal

Jul 9, 2017

"I was very nervous, as my exam is tomorrow. After reading the given points, I am feeling a little more confident."

Rated this article:

IM

Issa Juma Magubika

Aug 5, 2018

"From this article I have learned that studying physics is not easy as I was thinking, so I must study very hard."

SS

Shivangi Singh

Apr 30, 2017

"After reading this article, I think I should develop some basic concepts and maths to solve the question."

Rated this article:

keerthana reddy

Oct 12, 2017

"This article is so helpful to me. I want say thanks, now I'm able to get good marks in Physics."

DD

Debora David

Jun 13, 2017

"Wow, it's really nice! I got so much help from it, this my good philosopher. Thank you so much."

Raymond Einstein

Apr 30, 2017

"I was fearing physics, but with these tips, am sure am capable of handling advanced physics."

Rated this article:

SQ

Sibtain Qureshi

Jul 8, 2017

"I was having too many problem in class 11th physics. These tips have really helped me a lot."

Rated this article:

VM

Veronique Makounga

Nov 17, 2017

"Its helped me to know so many things about the ways I have to study and made me be smarter!"

AA

Aria Arian

Jun 28, 2017

"It is easier to learn with the pictures, and the content isn't very long or complicated."

Rated this article:

RR

Ramya Rams

Jul 14, 2017

"Really, it was interesting and made some confidence in me with respect to physics. "

Rated this article:

SK

Shantanu Kaushik

Aug 15, 2017

"I will be more focused and study hard in physics. This article helped me a lot!"

"Thanks so much for this article. You don't know how much relief this article gave me and how it has changed my mindset to better understand physics and mastering the concepts and skills. I will surely apply these principles and study harder to become not just an A+ student, but have deeper knowledge of the course. "..." more

MO

Mathew Otieno

May 21

"I've learned how to overcome some fear during a physics lesson."

SS

Sitaram Srotri

May 16

"I have a habit of focus. I am a BSc physics student from Munger university. I was good in physics from my school time, but still I want to improve more. Then I just clicked online and came to wikiHow. This helped me a lot. I can't explain in words."..." more

MM

Mohammed Mushtaq

Mar 10

"Great learning tool."

CL

Chris Angelo Lopez

Nov 8, 2017

"It helps me a lot because in school I can't focus on studying. When I try to recall the topics that have been discussed in school I can't remember them. But thanks to this site, now I realize that you can learn not only in school, but anywhere by browsing educational websites."..." more